Bryan Harsin updates recovery of QB T.J. Finley: ‘He’s getting better’
T.J. Finley has yet to see the field in an SEC game this season, and it remains unclear if that will change this weekend when Auburn takes on No. 9 Ole Miss on the road.
Finley sustained a Grade 2 AC joint sprain in his right shoulder during Auburn’s loss to Penn State in Week 3, and the injury has sidelined him for each of the last three games as Auburn has opened SEC play 1-2 under backup quarterback Robby Ashford. According to head coach Bryan Harsin, Finley is making progress in his recovery, but he did not provide a clear timeline on when the junior could return to the field.
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“He’s getting better,” Harsin said Wednesday during the SEC coaches teleconference. “He’s still day-to-day, but he’s improved. You can see that now, and we’ll see how the rest of the week goes.”
Harsin has described Finley’s status as day-to-day for the last two weeks after initially saying the quarterback was “good going into” SEC play just two days after Auburn’s loss to Penn State on Sept. 17.
Finley started each of Auburn’s first three games this season after earning the starting job in fall camp, though he still rotated with Ashford during those games against Mercer, San Jose State and Penn State. The former LSU quarterback completed 33-of-53 passes for 431 yards, one touchdown and an interception. He also has one rushing touchdown this season.
He injured his shoulder late in the first half against Penn State and was benched shortly after halftime, with Ashford taking over at quarterback. The redshirt freshman has started each of Auburn’s last three games — against Missouri, LSU and Georgia — while completing 44-of-94 passes (46.8 percent) for 629 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Ashford has also rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown but has struggled with ball security.
Auburn (3-3, 2-3 SEC) will travel to Oxford, Miss., this weekend to take on No. 9 Ole Miss (6-0, 2-0) at 11 a.m. Saturday in Vaught=Hemingway Stadium, with the game airing on ESPN.
Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.